Wire mesh fabric



DCC. 27, 1932. A, A G, LAND 1,891,992

WIRE MESH FABRIC Filed Feb. 20, 1951 2 Sheets-Sham l JMJJ 1224 TZZf/ 292 jlH- bg -v1l VRD); BY

Dec. 2'?, 1932. A. A. vs. LAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec.. 27, 1932 UNITED STATES ARTHUR A. G. LAND, OF CHICAG, ILLNOIS WIRE MESH FABRIC Application filed February 20, 1931.

My invention relates to chain-link wire fabrics, namely fabrics composed of zigzag strands extending transversely of the fabric, with each strand presenting bights at each odge of the zigzag strand and with each two consecutive strands intertwined (or spirally twisted through each other) to interlock bights of these strands.

Each constituent strand for such a fabric usually has all legs of its zigzag formation disposed at the same angle of Obliquity to the longitudinal axis of the strand, and the fabric wien upright (as for example when used as a fence fabric) presents so-called diamond meshes, each of which meshes has two horizontally opposite and two vertically opposite corners. rl`his term diamond mesh is used in the wire trade as including thus disposed equal-sided quadrilateral meshes, regardless of the size of angle between any two consecutive mesh sides, and hence is here used in the same sense.

'Vhen such a diamond type of chain-link wire fabric is tensioned longitudinally as for example, when stretching it taut between two widely spaced fence posts-the strain tends to widen the mesh horizontally 'or longitudinally of the fabric and to contract the mesh transversely of the fabric, as for eX ample by changing the mesh of F ig. 8 from form shown in full lines to shape indicated in dotted lines.

In a small-sized fabric, such as a grille on a window, such a distortion of the mesh shape can be prevented by fastening the longitudinal edges of the fabric to spaced and rigid top and bottom bars, l3nt such a complete framing of the fabric is usually prohibitive in cost with large fabrics, such as the long stretches of wire between widely spaced fence posts.

Consequently, it has heretofore been customary to stiffen chain-link wire fabrics against undue elongation by making them of much heavier wire than would otherwise be needed to resist the strains for which the fabric is designed, thereby undesirably increasing` both the factory cost, the shipping expense, and the cost of handlin and erecting the fabric.

Serial No. 517,293.

Furthermore, it also has been generally customary to construct such chain-link wire fabrics with meshes having their heights equal to their widths, thereby requiring a considerably greater amount of wire, per given area of the fabric, than would be required with taller meshes for excluding objects of a given size, thereby still further increasing both the factory cost and the shipping eX pense.

My present invention aims to reduce the cost of chain-link wire fabrics by providing mesh shapes which will more strongly resist distention longitudinally of the fabric than meshes of the usual diamond shape, and by disposing certain mesh sides so that a larger proportion of the fabric-tensioning strain will tend to elongate the wire rather than to change the angles of the bends in the zigzag strand formations.

Furthermore, my invention aims to provide chain-link wire fabrics with mesh shapes that resist distention longitudinally of the fabric together with mesh shapes that have a row of legs longitudinally of the fabric that still further strengthen this fabric even if the mesh sides aire of shapes affording objecteXcluding effect or are of decidedly ornamental appearance.

So also, my invention aims to accomplish these objects with the use of easily inter-v woven and cheaply manufactured strands, which strands can readily be varied in the shape of their zigzag formations to increase or decrease the resiliency and enhance the longitudinal tensile strength of the fabric within a wid'e range.

@n account of the combination of mesh used, namely deltoid shaped which has two long legs and two short semi-tension legs, and triangular mesh which has tension legs lengthwise of the fabric, this fabric, which is a combination of mesh as shown in my chain-link wire fab 1ic applications Serial No. 428,889 and Serial No. 433,386, makes a very strong fabric which can be made of lighter wire for the same strength fabric of the ordinary diamond mesh and can be made in almost an unlimited variety of strengths of fabrics according to needs and a large variety of ornamental designs. These meshes can be made in various heights and mesh sides can be made in many shapes, and can be so formed as to produce ornamental fabrics of any desired resiliency and strength.

Still further and also more detailed objects of my invention will appear from the following specification and from the accompanying drawings, in which drawings F ig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a fabric in which each longitudinal row of mesh is alternately triangular and deltoid shaped;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic elevation of a portion of a fabric same as Fig. 1 except that rows of mesh are diderent in height;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on lines 3 3 and 3-3 of Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic elevation of av portion of a fabric similar to Fig. 1 with the exception that it has an additional row of semi-tension legs in each series of mesh rows g Fig. 5 is an elevation of a portion of a fabric with series of mesh rows including two rows of mesh which are alternately triangular and deltoid shaped with additional rows of deltoid shaped mesh between them;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic elevation of a portion of my fabric similar to Fig. 5 with the exception that it has additional rows of semitension legs in each series of mesh rows;

Fig. 7 is an elevation of a deltoid-shaped mesh; i

Fig. 8 is an elevation of an ordinary diamond-shaped chain-link mesh illustrating by Y the dotted lines the shape of mesh produced by tensioning this fabric;

Fig. 9 1s an elevation of a triangular- -shaped mesh; and

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic eleva-tion of a portion of my fabric with additional rows of diamond shaped mesh.

In accomplishing the purposes of my invention I employ rows of alternately triangular and deltoid-shaped mesh in the fabric. With the ordinary diamond-shaped mesh as shown by Fig. 8 when the fabric is tensioned lengthwise of the fabric, or in the direction of W3, the mesh are pulled out of shape as shown by the dotted lines unless the fabric is made of very heavy wire strands, so that, to make a fabric that will withstand more tensioning strains I employ deltoid-shaped meshes Fig. 7 and triangular meshes Fig. 9.

Vhen longitudinal rows of triangularshaped m-esh of Fig. 9 are used in a fabric with the base legs in a. line and the fabric is tensioned longitudinally of the fabric, or in .the direction of W1, the base legs resist the tensioning strains. Also the short legs of the deltoid mesh of Fig. 7 resist tensioning strains when tensioned in the direction 72, as for example the left-hand strand of Fig. 7 when the mesh is pulled indirection of W2 the top leg 16 is pulled in the direction of Z1 'and the bottom or short leg 17 is pulled in the direction of Z2. If this mesh is pulled out of shape the top and bottom ends must be pulled the same distance in the same direction and as the lever arm X is much shorter than the lever arm X1 it will require more power to pull the end of the leg 17 the same distance, than is required to pull the end of leg 16. Therefore, in pulling a mesh of this shape the short legs are the ones that resist the tensioning strains. By using meshes of both the deltoid and triangular shapes in the same fabric, fabrics of any desired strengths can be made.

Illustrative of one of the types of my fabrics, as shown by Fig. 1,`I employ flattened zigzag spiral strands spirally assembled through each other transversely of the fabric or upright in Fig. 1, which strands have counterpart bight spacings (as shown by spaces l-I and L) in adjacent strands which interlock to form mesh in the finished fabric. The left-hand strand A of Fig. 1 has the tension legs 10 longitudinally of the fabric or at right angles to the axis of the strand C1 with bights 11 connecting long legs 12 and 13 which are parallel and extend to opposite side edges of the strands and connected by bights 14 to the short legs or semi-tension legs 15. Legs 12, 13 and 15 are at oblique angles to the axis of the strand and the heights H1 of the triangular mesh H and HA are equal. The height L may vary.

y*In assembling this fabric stra-nd B which is a counterpart of' strand A) is spirally twisted and advanced through strand A and reversed, forming the triangular meshes H and deltoid-shaped meshes K. The legs 12A in strand B form a side of a triangular mesh I-I' and a long side of an adjacentdeltoidshaped mesh KA adjacent to it and semi-tension legs 15A form two of the small sides of deltoid meshes KA and K and legs 13A form one side of the triangular mesh HA and one long side of the deltoid mesh. K, and the tension legs 10A form part of the base of the triangular mesh I-I and HA.

When such counterpart, strands as described for strand A are spirally assembled through one another to interlink bights at one edge of each strand with bights of the adjacent edge of the next strand they form series of mesh. rows or mesh sections longitudinally of the fabric. At top and bottom of each series are rows of tension legs 10 and 10A which run approximately in a straight line longitudinally of the fabric, forming between them two rows of mesh ylongitudinally of the fabric, which mesh are alternately triangular and deltoid shaped with the short legs of the deltoid-shaped mesh-l5 and 15A forming a zigzag row of semi-tension legs longitudinally of the fabric. Also the triangular anddeltoid-shaped mesh are alf/ ternate transversely of the fabric or up and down in Fig. 1.

To obtain both the triangular meshes H and HA and the deltoid shaped meshes K and KA in the resulting fabric after the manner illustrated in Fig. 1,I provide the strand A with zigzag formations presenting consecu tive oblique strand legs 12, 15 and 13 which cross the strand axis C at oblique angles. Then I also provide'the strand legs 10, each of which extends at right angles to thestrand axis C with at least one of these legs 10 disposed between two strandV sections in which the consecutive legs 12, 15 and 13 extend oblique to the said axis. Thus constructed each strand is made up of sections in which the two long legs 12 and 13 and the short leg 15 extend oblique to the longitudinal edge of the fabric and all cross the strand axis C at oblique angles, while each leg or strand portion 10, which isy common to consecutive sections, crosses the axis C of the strand at right angles and extends parallel to the longitudinal edge line of the fabric. When these strands are assembled each two strands form meshes H and K which are of equal width longitudinally of the fabric but of differentspreads transversely of the fabric. In the assembled fabric the shorter meshes H are disposed between taller meshes K, with the shorter meshes H having strand portions 10 and 10A extending longitudinally of thev fabric; also the meshes H, HA, K and KA are arranged respectively insections extending longitudinally of the fabric, and the' wire portions 10 and 10A whichA are common to two consecutive mesh sections extend in alinement with each other andf parallel tothe edge line of the fabric.

However, while I have described the mesh of this fabric as having straight sides which will make the opening of the deltoid meshlarger than the openings of the triangular mesh as shown by comparing size of balls L and M in lower part of Fig. 1, I do not want to beI limited to the form of the mesh sides as they can be slightly bent, as shown by meshes E and G in lower part of Fig. l, so that they will have the same effective mesh opening as shown by ball K which is the same size in both these meshes and is the maximum size ball that will nass through these meshes.

Moreover. the mesh sides can be formed to produce quite an ornamental fabric as shown by the right hand row of meshes of Fig. 1 which in addition to producing an ornamental effect materially reduce the effective mesh openings as shown by comparing the ball A with ball B in the two deltoid shaped meshes in the upper part of Fig. 1 and comparing the balls C with the ball D in the two triangular meshes in the upper part of Fig. 1. lVhile the deltoid and triangular mesh with bent portions in their sides may be made in l various shapes, the interloched bights are `still at the corners of imaginary deltoid and triangular shaped figures as shown by the dotted lines 15 in Fig. 1.

Moreover, while I have described the height of the triangular mesh of different rows as bei-ng equal, I do not want to be limitedas to the height of either the triangular. or deltoid mesh beingv equal as they may vary in height in different series of mesh rows or may even vary in height in the same series of mesh rows as shown in Fig. 2. Note the height H2 of the top row of triangular mesh is much less than the height H3 of the second row of triangular mesh; also the height L3 of the top row of deltoid shaped mesh is much less than the height L2 of the second row of deltoid shaped mesh', also the height L5 may vary, so `that I do not want to bey limited to the variation of height of the mesh in different sections of the fabric, or to the arrangement of the mesh as my fabric can bev further strengthened by forming the strands so that there will be a double row of zigzag semi-tension legs in each series of mesh forming four-sided mesh T as shown in. Fig. et. These are formed by the deltoid shaped mesh in each series being directly opposite each other as noted by the deltoid shaped meshes P and S so that the short sides of the deltoid-shaped meshes form the foursided mesh between the triangular mesh. In Fig. et the heights H4 and H5 are shown the same, but these may vary. So also the height L may vary.

Moreover, while I have described this fabric with two rows of alternately deltoid and* triangular shaped mesh in each series with the bases of the triangular mesh in a straight line longitudinally of the fabric, forming rows of tension legs, and the short sides of the deltoid shaped mesh forming zigzag rows of semi-tension legs longitudinally of the fabric, I do not want to be limited to two such rows of mesh to each series, as other mesh may be used between the two rows in a series of mesh as shown by the fabric of Fig. 5. This shows an additional row of deltoid shaped mesh Z and also an additional row of zigzag semi-tension legs in the top series of mesh and two additional rows of mesh Z in the second series of mesh. Any number of mesh rows can be used, also any shaped mesh sides. Also these mesh may be made to exclude the same size objects by forming the mesh sides with bends so that the mesh will exclude the same size objects as shown by the balls U in Fig. 5. Also the effective mesh openings may be reduced by forming kinks or bent portions in the mesh sides, as shown by comparing the size of the balls V with the size of the balls U. The meshes showing the balls V, which balls are `of the same size, have the mesh sides so formed that the effective mesh openings are abVA :i c L. v e ci; fett A Neres as these can be i rangel Y rows of zigzag semi-tension legs as shown by meshes T in Fig. G, which are formed by the short sides or legs kof the deltoid meshes.

Neither do I want to be limited to the use fof other shaped mesh in the series of mesh rows'as other shaped mesh may be used. Fig. l0 shows series of mesh rows which include rows of diamond shaped mesh IV. I do not want to be limited as to the number of :rows ofthese mesh or to the height or shapes of the mesh sides.

It will also be obvious from the drawings that I can providethe tension strane portions and the semi-tension strand portions in fabrics having widely different shapes of meshes; also that with meshes of given general shapes, the relative heights and widths of the meshes may be varied. The number of longitudinal lines of tension strand por- ;tions and the number of longitudinal zigzag lines of semi-tension strand portions may also be varied and the relative spacings be* tween these lines may be varied.

Y I am aware that some heretofore proposed wire fabrics have been formed so as to piesent highly tension-resisting longitudinal edges while having the entire remaining portion of the fabric highly resilient and incapable of any considerable tensioning. I

'i am also aware that wire fabrics have heretofore been manufactured by consecutively in tertwining zigzag wire strands; but these strandsl invariably have all of the zigzag formations in each strand counterparts of each other, and have had the consecutive spacings between bights at the saine edge of any single strand equal; it having'been commonly assumed that zigzag 'strands could only be intertwined when they have the just- .jrecited characteristics which cause each two intertwined strands to border meshes of uniform resistance to tensioning.

However, I have discovered that zigzag strands can also be consecutively intertwined, into a fabric when the zigzag formations in each strand are not all counterparts of one another, when the consecutive spacings of the bights at one edge of a single strand are not all equal, and when the alternate legs of the strand are not all parallel to one another. By employing this discovery, I am able to use consecutively intertwined strands as the entire constituents of wire fabrics in which the resistance to a tensioning of the fabric (in a direction at right angles to the axes of the strands) canbe greatly varied in different fabric portions spaced transversely of the fabric, whereby the fabrics will present either longitudinal tensioning lines (each composed of single legs of consecutiveA sisting meshes; and whereby the appearance of `such wire fabrics can be greatly varied and improve l.

As the shape of the side edge bights may be greatly varied Ido not want to be limited as to the shape of these bights,lnor do I want to be limited as to the shapes or lengths of the legs of the strands, as these legs may be so formed that the tension legs which cross the axis of the strand at right angles have'itheir bi'ghts in alinement with each other at reach" edge of the strand and the other legs which cross the axis of the strand atoblique angles also have their bights in alinement with each other at each edge of the strand, but inside of the lines connecting the b'ights at the ends of the tension legs.

- For example, in Fig. 5 the left-hand' strand A shows the bights lll which connect the legs l5 with the legs l2 and 18 in alinement with each other and at each side of the strand as shown by the lines'Y. The vbights ll 'at the ends of the'tension legs l0 are in alinenient with eachother at each side edge ofthe strand as shown by the lines Y so that all the bights 14 alining on the lines Y are inside of the bi'ght's l1 aliningA on the lines Y. `When these' strands are' assembledto form afabric 'and 4the fabric is tensionedlongitudinally, the fabric portions between the lines Y V(which are the fabric portions rbetween lthe longitudinalv lines Vof tension legs 10 and 10A) receive the tensioning 'strains' the strands so formed the' fabric can be manufactured so fas to impart any degree of strength and resiliency required inthe fabric portions lbetween the longitudinal lines of tension legs l0 and 10A by varying thel space X2 between the alined side edge bights at one or both edges of the strand. Y

lVhile I have shown several forms of this fabric and mesh arrange'inent5 I do not want to be limited as to the arrangements or the number of mesh rows or series' of mesh rows, nor to the details of construction or the shapes of .the mesh sides, since manyclianges may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or from the appended claims;

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the terms mesh side or leg in the appended claims is the entire portion of the strand between interlocked biohts, and the terms triangular and deltoid-shaped meshes in a generic sense inwhich they are notflimited as to the shape of their sides.

I claim as my invention 1 1. A chain-link type of -wire fabric com iis prising zigzag strands transversely of the fabric intertwisted to form longitudinal rows of mesh which mesh are alternately triangular and deltoid shaped, with certain of the mesh sides having a bent portion bowed toward one of the other sides of the mesh, thereby reducing the effective mesh openings of the mesh into which the bent portions extend.

2. A chain-link type of wire fabric comprising zigzag strands transversely of the fabric spirally intertwined vto form series of mesh rows longitudinally of the fabric, each such series including` two rows of mesh longitudinally of the fabric which are alternately triangular and deltoid shaped with each strand forming two sides of two deltoid shaped mesh and a side and a part of the base of two triangular shaped mesh in each series.

3. A wire fabric comprising consecutively intertwined strands extending AA"ansveisely of the fabric and of such zigzag formation that the fabric presents rows of meshes extending longitudinally of the fabric and including a row spaced from both edges of the fabric, the meshes of which row are alternately triangular and deltoid shaped and so arranged that the triangular meshes have strand portions which are in alinement with each other longitudinally of the fabric.

d. A chain-link type. of wire fabric comprising zigzag strands consecutively intertwined and xtending transversely of the fabric; the zigzag formation of thel strands being such that the fabric presents meshes extending in rows both longitudinally and transversely of the fabric with the meshes in each row being alternately triangular and deltoid shaped.

5. A wire fabric comprising zigzag strands extending transversely of the fabric and consecutively intertwined so that each two consecutive strands border a row of meshes extending transversely of the fabric; the zigzag formation of the strands being such that the meshes in each such row are approximately of uniform width longitudinally of the fabric and include meshes of two different spreads transversely of the fabric, with at least one of the shorter meshes disposed between taller meshes and with one of the meshes so formed that strand portions extend longitudinally of the fabric.

6. A wire fabric comprising consecutively intertwined flattened spiral strands extending transversely of the fabric and of such zigzag formation as to foim meshes arranged in sections extending longitudinally of the fabric, one of which sections includes meshes of both triangular and deltoid shapes; the strand portions common to consecutive sections extending approximately parallel to a longitudinal edge of the fabric.

7. A wire fabric comprising zigzag strands extending transversely of the fabric and consecutively intertwined to form meshes arranged in sections extending longitudinally of the fabric, each such section including two rows of meshes extending longitudinally of t-he fabric which meshes are alternately triangular and deltoid shaped, the strand por- I.

angular and deltoid shaped, with certain meshes each having in a side thereof a bent portion bowed toward one of the other sides of the mesh, the strand portions common to consecutive sections extending longitudinally of the fabric.

consecutively intertwined zigzag strands eX- tending transversely of the fabric, the zigzag formation of the strands being such that the intertwined strands form rows of meshes extending longitudinally of the strands, the meshes of each row including meshes having at least four mesh-side portions oblique to a longitudinal edge of the fabric; the fabric also including at a distance from both longitudinal edges of the fabric at least one longitudinal row of meshes which are alternately triangular and deltoid shaped with each triangular mesh having a mesh side extending longitudinally of the fabric.

10. A strand for a chain-link wire fabric comprising a flattened spiral with consecutively diverging legs connected by bights; the strand so formed that bights at corresponding ends of certain legs are in alinement with each other so that a line connecting these bights is parallel to a line connecting the bights at the ends of other legs in the strand.

l1. A strand for a chain-link type of wire fabric comprising a flattened spiral strand` with consecutively diverging legs connected by side edge bights all of which legs cross the longitudinal axis of the strand; the strand so formed that spaced legs extend at right angles to the axis of the strand, there being between each two such spaced legs three consecutively diverging legs which cross the axis of the strand at oblique angles, two of which legs are long and one short.

12. A strand for a chain-link wire fabric comprising a zigzag wire presenting bights at each lateral edge when the axis of the strand is upright and presenting legs diverging fro-m each such bight; the zigzag formation being such that the strand includes two v 85 9. A wire fabric comprising flattened and iso ` in which a leg' extends 'at right ngles to the les said a-Xis.

18. A strand for a chain-link Wire fabric comprising a Wire formed into a zigzag formationk in elevation When the axis of the strand is upright, the strand presenting bights at each lateral edge ofthe strand; the strand including long and short legs each having a portion thereof extending oblique to the said axis and also including at least one leg spaced from both ends ofthe strand and extending at right angles to the said axis. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day of February, 1931.

ARTHUR A. LAND. 

